Win98 SE Help! Windows Update Said Delete Files. Now NIC Won't Install

[Harvey]

I was helping my sister update her Gateway P3 650 with 512 MB PC-100 SD-RAM. Went to Windows Update, and the page said it needed newer ActiveX files, and linked to a MS bulletin with step by step instructions that included deleting a large number of files in the Windows Update Setup Files folder, which I am sure I followed precisely.

When I went to install a new Belkin wireless NIC card, everything worked until I tried to add the card to the network. The automated installation failed, so I tried to add the IP info in the Network section, manually. When I opened the box, the card showed as an "Adapter" entry, but the "Protocol" entry was missing.

I selected the adapter and clicked [Add]. Then, I selected the adapter, and clicked "Protocol" and clicked [Add], but NOTHING showed up. I am guessing that it requires something in the deleted files, but I don't know if this can be restored without completely re-installing Windows, which I will do, if necessary. I'm hoping someone has info about how this part of Windows can be restored without going through that.

TIA

 

[IH82LUZ2FRDS]

Do you have a driver disc for your Belkin NIC? If not I'm sure you can go find them on Belkins website, use them, not the drivers Win98 gives you.

You shouldn't have to reinstall, but just as a future note, you should always archive files or do a system restore point when you are going to modify system files.

 

[Harvey]

Thanks for the reply. Belkin's tech support (which is excellent) advised me to d/l the updated driver their site. I did, and I got the same results. Their install program is supposed to set up the IP addresses, etc. automatically. When that failed to install the Protocol part, I called Belkin's tech support, and they tried to help me do it manually. That's when I found that nothing happens when you get to the point where you're supposed to click protocol.

It's Win98 SE, so there is no restore point. If I had really been prepared, I would have had my spare drive with me and ghosted hers before starting, but that's what I get for trusting M$'s instructions.

 

[WildDreamer]

You could try installing the Dial Up Networking 1.4 upgrade and see if that restores the protocol selections.

The Windows Update Setup Files folder usually has downloaded IE install files, so if an updated version of IE has been installed already, deleting the leftover files shouldn't affect anything.

EDIT

Might also check if there is a Nettrans.inf file still in the Windows\Inf folder.